Defra extends deadline for EPR steering group applications
Defra has announced it has extended the deadline for applications for the producer seats on the new scheme administrator steering group for the UK’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
The scheme administrator steering group serves as a temporary forum with a 12-month mandate to facilitate the design, establishment, and activation of the packaging EPR scheme.
Defra stated that the “steering group will shape and guide the approach of the administrator’s future governance arrangements, functions, and operations, before the scheme’s underpinning regulations come into force and the SA is formally established.”
The steering group is designed to have a total of 24 members, including 12 individuals representing producer organisations and 12 other members. The latter group will encompass representatives from local authorities, the four UK governments, a waste management entity, a non-government organisation , the head of the scheme administrator and an independent chairperson.
Wandsworth hosts ‘Reuse and Repair’ fair
Wandsworth council is to host a “Reuse and Repair Fair” on 14 October at the Royal College of Art Battersea as part of its circular economy week.
As part of the event residents can bring along bikes, household items, clothes and textiles for repair.
Judi Gasser, cabinet member for environment said: “We are doing all we can to make it as easy as possible to recycle, but it’s important that we all reduce the amount of waste we produce. Your waste could be someone else’s treasure so before you throw things away think about if they could be donated, mended or sold.”
Stafford issues £100 fine for fly-tipping
A £100 fine has been issued to a Stafford man after a fly-tipping incident at William Horton Court by Stafford borough council.
The council said it was told by the man the waste had been taken from a new property he was “doing up” and “just wanted it gone.”
Councillor Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment, said: “It’s disappointing for the residents who take a pride in their area to find someone who just could not be bothered getting rid of rubbish he had created in a responsible way.
“Our communities demand that we act against people who blight our areas by fly-tipping. Anyone who does so can expect to be fined or prosecuted and have a criminal record. I hope that this incident acts as a warning to others who think it acceptable to fly-tip.”
Warrington struggles to collect waste during national industrial action
Warrington council said it was unable to collect waste on Wednesday (4 October) due to a staffing shortage caused by the ongoing national industrial action.
The council asks residents of the area to put their bins out as normal from 5 October and if they remain uncollected by 4pm of that day, to put them out on their next scheduled day.
The council has said: “Collections will be assessed on a day-to-day basis, depending on the staff we have available.”
Local residents are advised by the council to:
• Flatten or squash as much household waste or recycling as possible, to maximise space in your bins
• “Pool” bin space with your neighbours, for those who routinely create less household waste/recycling
• Keep household recycling items indoors, if they have the space available and the bin is full
• Take what they can to their local household recycling centre,
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